Role, mission and strategy

The Thermopatch vision: We commit to aligning our operations and strategies with the ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. The company’s core values of Safety and Health, Environmental Stewardship, Highest Ethical Behavior, and Respect for People are directly aligned with the values set out in the Global Compact. For over 80 years Thermopatch has held a premier position in developing heat seal machines, labels, direct imprint equipment, mending material and other related supplies for the laundry, dry clean and garment manufacturing industries. We not only strive to achieve the sales goals we set out for ourselves such as high quality and great customer service, we also set out a clear vision of what is required to sharing responsibility to achieve the collective goal of sustainable and energy-efficient manufacturing in order to making products safe and available, anytime anywhere and establish the conditions within our organization necessary for as one behavior to take root and succeed.

Mission: Our mission is to promote socially, economically and environmentally sustainable development programs, building on our core knowledge and experience with an emphasis on individual policy tools and instruments and their effective combination.

Strategy: • To actively build and support partnerships for development • To employ the knowledge, products and expertise of Thermopatch in development projects • To build local capacity and ensure sustainability by working actively through knowledge sharing and training • To support the development of innovative and cost-effective products

Our business and its impacts

Thermopatch produces labels & images for linen and corporate workwear, sports garments and promotional clothing for which the highest quality and service standards are required. We have displayed this high standard since 1934. Thermopatch is now a leading company in this market.

During the development stage of our products, we are constantly thinking about how we can make our products user friendly for our customers without compromising on quality. The results are a perfect print emblem, transfer or label with optimal washability and a lifetime warrantee. Thousands of satisfied customers experience this on a daily basis.

Our international success is not just due to our innovative way of working and high quality of our products; it is also due to our service and fast deliveries. Thermopatch has several production locations and a worldwide network of distributors and sales advisors. The close proximity to our customer ensures a quick service. Additionally, in corporate identity products, Thermopatch offers very good support in services and supplier reliability.

Human Rights Principles

Principle 1: Business should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and

Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human right abuses

Our policy

Thermopatch acknowledges the importance of supporting and protecting the UN Human Rights Charter and continues in developing and renewing internal procedures. The respect for human rights is integrated in the human resource policy, which describes clearly the rights and obligations of employees and management.

Activities implemented

Thermopatch respects and protects human rights in her daily operations

Thermopatch provides a safe and pleasant working environment to all it’s employees

Thermopatch has developed internal procedures such as social media protocol in which the principles of mutual respect to each other is outlined

Thermopatch has appointed a social media manager who is monitoring these procedures in- en externally

Thermopatch meets with the General Data Protection Regulations which will come into effect in May 2018 on privacy/data protection and data leaks

Thermopatch respects and takes into account the traditions and rituals that are connected with the various religions en cultures of her employees

Labour Principles

Principle 3: Business should uphold freedom of associations and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of force and compulsory labour

Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour and

Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

Our policy

Our employment policy acknowledges our responsibilities to employees and the importance of creating and maintaining a working environment where the basic rights of all employees are recognized.

Our employment procedures are built on the following principles:

Non-discrimination between employees of potential employees and equal opportunities for all

Recruitment, promotion and development of employees based on each individuals attitude, abilities and skills

Provision of suitable training according to roles and responsibilities

Employee remuneration that meets legal national standards

Effective communication with our employees

Provide healthy and safe working conditions for all our employees, including customers that come into contact with our business

Activities implemented

Renovation production and printing department New machines have been taken into production meeting the highest safety standards to make production work easier and safer and, as a result, will prevent employees from getting health/back problems: – Pallet seal machine and electrical pallet truck – ‘rewinding’ machine, which rolls up the heavy textile rolls automatically – new slitting and cutting machines – implementation of electric chain hoists and electric lift for textile rolls

Our office departments are equipped with height adjustable table systems that can be transformed quite simply into a standing workplace, in order to create the best ergonomic working position

In order to create a healthy environment for employees air purifying plants are placed on every department

We are promoting a flexible working structure

We promote a lifelong development of non-company specific skills in order to support the personal development of employees

Recently a risk assessment has been held in the printing department to make sure there is no exposure to gases, dusts and solvents

We supply corporate clothing that meets highest safety standards for all our employees in the production department

We have effective programs put in place to manage health and to comply with all legal and regulatory requirements

We make all employees aware of health and safety regulations and procedures that are relevant to their position for which we have appointed a certified Health and Safety Officer

Thermopatch continually reviews its standards of health and safety and complies to European and National guidelines

Every 5 year a preventive medical check-up is organized for all Thermopatch employees (last medical check-up in May 2016)

Thermopatch has implemented an active ageing policy due to the increase in the retirement age

Regular review of our safety standards as required by European and national health and safety regulations. By undertaking a periodic Risk Inventory and Assessment we are constantly reviewing these standards

Measurement of outcomes The Risk inventory and Assessment is an important tool for Thermopatch to monitor and evaluate the performance in the field of environment, health and safety. Because Thermopatch has a relatively small company structure, employees can report any irregularities directly to the management. Thermopatch has received no grievances of complaints from employees or others in relation to labor rights violations, nor was the organization involved in any labor rights incidences before or during the reporting period. Thermopatch puts her awareness of cultural differences into practice by employing staff of different cultural and religious backgrounds.

Thermopatch received a Certificate from Social Services for her help and support.

Environmental Principles

Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges

Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies

Our Policy

We acknowledge the importance of Thermopatch supporting a precautionary approach to environmental challenges, undertaking initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility, and encouraging the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies. Thermopatch is actively working on reducing the negative impacts of our organizatons’ actions on the environment.

Actions implemented:

Extension of the digital production

Resulting in less usage of chemicals (Ink) and wastage

Double-sided printing

On all departments printers are set for double-sided printing as standard

New Digital Screen Imaging system

An environmentally-friendly exposure unit which exposes the screen directly from computer-to-screen, through which the copy-room in the printing department is only using UV LED instead of inks

Implementation of a new, environmentally-friendly production line

Extruder, electric chain hoists, lifting system for textile rolls

Minimizing heat, energy loss and fuel usage:

Office lighting We have undertaken a planned replacement of older inefficient office lighting by energy saving (40% off the office electricity bill) lighting. All light switches are being replaced with automatic office lighting activated by movement sensors (when movement occurs, light switches on).Window panes Replacement of all windows with ultra-high efficient (double pane) windows.Central Heating Introduction of programmable heating controller (24/7 active clock program for energy-efficient central heating) and insulating the water supply system to save energy.Compressor Replacement of an inefficient compressor for manufacturing purposes by an energy-saving compressor which automatically reduces compression levels to the all-zero state and provides production machines only when compression is required.Disposal of hazardous waste All hazardous waste is disposed off using special recycle containers.Digital archiving Company has a Digital Archiving Policy to minimize wastage of paper.Recycling Company has disposal containers for packaging materials for recycling purposes when possible.Collection of toners/cartridges for charity purposesCompany cars All new company cars meet the Euro-5 norms and are expected to meet the latest standards requirements concerning low CO2 emissions. Gradually we will exchange all our cars into hybrid cars.Public transportation Company supports the use of public transportation during business travelling to reduce the amount of air pollution/global warming and transportation costs for the company itself (parking costs at the airport, car hire).Waste water management To manage our global water program, we have implemented the online reporting system H2O Insight.Awareness policy We have implemented a policy to create awareness among staff of the necessity and yields from operating energy-efficiently.

Development of technologies:

Manufacturing process Thermopatch maintains environmentally responsible manufacturing processes by using water based materials and reduces wastage by optimizing and/or replacing inefficient manufacturing processes to ensure energy and resource efficient production.Production Process The technological change of one of our production processes not only makes it possible for us to reduce the price of the raw material and work more accurately, at the same time we are able to drastically reduce the waste materials which creates a better working environment (cleaner, healthier) and save energy consumption. In June a new fully automatic silkscreen-washing machine is implemented. The machine meets all environmental requirements and saves the employee from heavy and dirty work.Oeko-Tex standard Thermopatch products are certified with Oeko-Tex standard which means all components meet the required criteria (environmentally friendly) and conformity is verified by an independent organization (third party).European Regional Development Fund A part of our innovations is subsidized with support of the European Regional Development Fund ERDF of the European Commission. Thermopatch continues changing her manufacturing processes where possible and last year we accomplished a further reduction of 15-20% of ink waste by producing digitally instead of sreen printing.

Anti-corruption Principles

Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

Our Policy

Thermopatch acknowledges the importance to work against corruption. We do not offer neither receive any gifts, loan, fee, reward or other advantage to or from any person as an inducement to do something which is dishonest, illegal or a breach of trust, in the conduct of the enterprise’s business. In line with this principle, Thermopatch will include an anti-corruption policy in her Code of Conduct, in which will clearly state that we do not tolerate the direct or indirect offer, payment, solicitation or acceptance of bribes in any form. Facilitation payments are also prohibited. Should we discover that bribery or fraud allegations are imposed against any third party performing work for Thermopatch, we will review our relationship with that party and take appropriate action.

Actions planned: Further set-up of anti-corruption policy in our Code of Conduct. This will conduct specific instructions to staff, such as requirements to avoid or declare potential conflicts of interest, and others that concern the offer or acceptance of gifts and hospitality.

Measurement of outcomes There have been no cases of corruption in the line of our work over the course of the organization’s existence. If such a situation might arise, Thermopatch will take appropriate action and ultimately withdraw from the assignment.